Podcast: Light therapy for prevention of winter depressionMany people experience the " winter blues " , but some suffer from something more serious, seasonal affective disorder, which has a major impact on their quality of life. Light therapy is one of the interventions that is used to try to prevent it and a team of researchers from Austria and the USA published the update of their Cochrane Review in March 2019. Lead author, Barbara Nussbaumer, from the Danube University Krems in Austria, summarises the findings in this podcast." Seasonal affective disorder, which is also known as winter depression, is a seasonal pattern of recurrent major depressive episodes. The...Source: Cochrane News and Events - April 29, 2019 Category: Information Technology Authors: Lydia Parsonson Source Type: news

Blue light could treat superbug infections(Purdue University) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterium that causes infection in various parts of the body, is often called a 'superbug' thanks to its ability to dodge many common antibiotics. Rather than rolling the dice with a multi-drug combination or wasting precious time trying to determine which medicine to prescribe, doctors could soon use a new method for disarming the superbugs: light therapy. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - April 2, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: news

Light therapy found to destroy prostate cancer in new clinical trial(Natural News) For men, particularly those who are getting on in years, the fear of getting prostate cancer looms large. With prostate cancer being the second most common cancer for men in the United States, and with over 160,000 new diagnoses each year, their fears are certainly not groundless. Although the prognosis for men diagnosed... (Source: NaturalNews.com)Source: NaturalNews.com - March 27, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Book Review: Living Light: The Art of Using Light for Health & HappinessWhile it’s hard not to notice the brilliant display of colors set off by a sunset over the water, we seldom consider the biological, or even psychological, benefits of light.
“It is my belief that good quality light in our daily lives is far more important than we might think,” writes Karl Ryberg.
In his new book, Living Light: The Art of Using Light For Health And Happiness, Ryberg brings us his life’s work — studying the obvious and not so obvious ways in which light affects us and how we can use light in our lives not only function better, but feel better.
Light, we know, plays an important...Source: Psych Central - March 10, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Claire Nana Tags: Book Reviews Disorders General Habits Psychology Seasonal Affective Disorder Self-Help Treatment artificial light Light therapy Living Light natural light Ryberg SAD Source Type: news

Clarify Medical wins CMS reimbursement for phototherapy psoriasis treatmentClarify Medical said today that it won reimbursement coverage through the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for treatments with its Clarify Home light therapy system for treating psoriasis, effective immediately.
The new decision from CMS falls under its National Coverage Determination for the treatment of psoriasis, which includes narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy, San Diego-based Clarify Medical said.
The company’s Clarify system uses narrowband ultraviolet B rays to penetrate the skin and slow the growth of affected skin cells. Studies have found that narrowband UVB rays help to clear psoriasis...Source: Mass Device - February 12, 2019 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Fink Densford Tags: Business/Financial News Cosmetic/Aesthetic Clarify Medical Source Type: news

The Academy of Laser Dentistry Partners Again with the Greater New York Dental Meeting to Provide Unbiased Laser Training3 Essential Sessions Will Provide a Glimpse of What ’s Aheadat the ALD ’s Annual Meeting in AprilCoral Springs, FL – November 12, 2018 – For the 11th consecutive year, the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) will carry on its mission of providing unbiased, non-commercial laser education and training with three hands-on sessions during the upcoming Greater New York Dental Meeting.According to ALD executive director Gail Siminovsky, “We’re pleased to announce that the, ALD is continuing its tradition of sponsoring several objective CE programs, taught by some of the world’s most pr...Source: Dental Technology Blog - November 14, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: news

Thanks to $1.72 million federal grant: UA researchers using green light for HIV-related pain(University of Arizona Health Sciences) Green light therapy results in decreased chronic pain without side effects and has the promise of easy clinical application due to its low cost, efficacy and availability. This new project addresses the critical need for effective non-pharmacological treatments for HIV-related neuropathy and the hypersensitivity associated with antiretroviral therapy. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - October 17, 2018 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news

New Treatment Can Reverse Effects Of VitiligoWORCESTER (CBS) – Vitiligo is a common condition that causes people to lose pigment in their skin. Michael Jackson famously suffered from it, allegedly bleaching his skin to make it look more even.
Patients are often told there are no effective treatments but a local doctor and one of the world’s leading experts on vitiligo says that’s just not true.
“I noticed it around my eyes at the beginning,” explains 9-year old Aparna Deokar was almost three when she started developing white patches around her eyes. By the time she was five, she had many more.
Aparna Deokar (WBZ-TV)
“Mostly just e...Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - July 5, 2018 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Health – CBS Boston Tags: Boston News Health Syndicated Local Dr. Mallika Marshall UMass Medical School vitiligo Source Type: news

Skin treatment device-maker Clarify Medical raises $1mClarify Medical has raised $1 million from 7 investors as part of a $1.5 million offering, according to a document filed with the SEC this week.
The San Diego, California-based company has not publicly clarified how it plans to spend its new funds. Clarify Medical sells an at-home light therapy device designed for people living with psoriasis and vitiligo.
The company’s system uses narrowband ultraviolet B rays to penetrate the skin and slow the growth of affected skin cells. Studies have found that narrowband UVB rays help to clear psoriasis faster compared to broadband UVB, according to Clarify Medical.
UVB light a...Source: Mass Device - July 5, 2018 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Sarah Faulkner Tags: Cosmetic/Aesthetic Funding Roundup Clarify Medical Source Type: news

Academy of Laser Dentistry Announces Call for Abstracts for ALD 2019 Annual Session“The Laser-Systemic Connection: Lighting the Way to a Healthier Mouth and Body” will Take Place in Dallas on April 4-6, with Opening Keynoteby Leading Oral-Systemic Health Advocate, Charles Whitney, MDCoral Springs, FL – June 18, 2018 –The Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD), the only independent and unbiased non-profit association dedicated to improving patient care with the proper use of laser technology, recently issued a call for abstracts for its upcoming annual meeting.Known internationally as “dentistry’s laser meeting”, ALD 2019 is at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas from April 4t...Source: Dental Technology Blog - June 22, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: news

3 Pervasive, Persistent Myths about Seasonal Affective DisorderOur society tends to dismiss seasonal affective disorder (SAD). We minimize it. We misunderstand it.
Oh, you just don’t like winter. And who could blame you? Winter is tough on everyone.
Oh, SAD is like the winter blues, right? You get grumpy or moody because you hate the freezing cold.
You’re just in a funk. It happens to a lot of people. It’s totally normal.
How can you feel depressed when the air is so crisp and it’s a winter wonderland out there?
We incorporate SAD into our vocabulary, flippantly using it in conversation. “Similar to someone saying “I can’t make up my mind, it...Source: Psych Central - January 31, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. Tags: Depression Disorders General Seasonal Affective Disorder Stigma Light therapy Mental Health Stigma phototherapy SAD summer depression summertime depression winter depression wintertime depression Source Type: news

Light-triggered nanoparticles show promise against metastatic cancer(Washington University School of Medicine) A new anti-cancer strategy wields light as a precision weapon. Unlike traditional light therapy -- which is limited to the skin and areas accessible with an endoscope -- this technique can target and attack cancer cells that have spread deep inside the body, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - January 25, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news

Researchers are developing light therapy as a non-invasive, alternative treatment for disease(Natural News) Artificial light has both its risks and benefits, but a new study shows that it may be the solution to minimally invasive, drug-free treatments. Researchers are currently developing new ways using infrared neuromodulation to treat cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart beat), hypertension (high blood pressure), asthma, sleep apnea (suspension of breathing during sleep), diarrhea, and... (Source: NaturalNews.com)Source: NaturalNews.com - December 19, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Seasonal Affective DisorderGray and cloudy skies are not unusual in the Pacific Northwest. But, as the days become shorter and the dark starts setting in about mid-afternoon, it is easy to be less energized and feel more like hibernating. This is not unusual. However, for those who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), other more intense symptoms may appear such as:
sadness
gloomy outlook
sadness
gloomy outlook
feeling hopeless, worthless, or irritable
loss of interest or pleasure in activities
low energy
difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
carbohydrate cravings and weight gain
thoughts of death or even suicide
The causes of S...Source: Dragonfly - December 18, 2017 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Carolyn Martin Tags: Health Literacy/Consumer Health Source Type: news

5 Pieces of Damaging Advice for Treating DepressionThere’s plenty of advice on treating depression. There are thousands of books, blog posts and magazine articles. Everyone seems to have an opinion. Try this herb or vitamin. Avoid sugar. Be grateful. Be more grateful. You just need some fresh air. Go to therapy. Don’t go to therapy—it’s a waste of time and money.
Of course, some advice is sincerely spot-on. Some advice seems helpful, but misses the mark for people struggling with clinical depression. And some of it is just plain bad. Which is why we asked psychologists who specialize in depression to share the damaging advice they’ve come acr...Source: Psych Central - November 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. Tags: Depression Disorders Family General Psychotherapy Relationships & Love Self-Help behavioral activation therapy Clinical Depression depression advice Depression Treatment giving advice Intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy lo Source Type: news

New 3D-printed braces include lights and batteriesResearchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia have created 3D-printed braces that use light therapy to enhance bone regeneration and speed up realignment. (Source: the Mail online | Health)Source: the Mail online | Health - October 25, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news